Glossary



Encryption

A means of providing data confidentiality. (See 802.11i, RC4, TKIP, WEP, WPA, WPA2).

Firewall

Software or hardware that is between two networks to prevent access by unauthorized users. can make a network appear invisible to a network and the Internet and can block unauthorized and unwanted users from accessing files and systems on the PC’s on the network.

Hotspot

A location where users can access the Internet using Wi-Fi laptops and other Wi-Fi enabled devices. These may be free or they may charge a fee. Hotspots are often found at hotels , coffee shops, airport lounges, train stations etc..

LAN

PC’s and other devices that are connected together within the same physical proximity. There will generally be a very fast connection between devices and is ideal for internet connections, printer files and drives. The devices can be connected as a wired configuration or wireless (known as WLAN).

MAC address

Media Access Control address. A unique hardware ID number that identifies each device on a network. A device can be a router, wireless adaptor, computer, printer, etc.

MIMO

Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output. An advanced signal processing technology that uses multiple receivers and multiple transmitters in both the client and access point to achieve data throughput speeds of up to 100Mbps. Generally these devices will have two antenna’s. One for transmitting and one for receiving.

Repeater

A wireless repeater is a device that extends the range of an existing wireless router by relaying its signal. A wireless repeater does not do intelligent routing in the way wireless bridges and routers do.

SSID

A unique 32-character network name, or identifier, that differentiates one wireless LAN from another. You can choose this name when you set up a wireless network but for security, make it obscure. All access points and clients attempting to connect to a specific WLAN must use the same SSID. The SSID can be any alphanumeric name up to a maximum of 32 characters.

WPA™

Wi-Fi Protected Access. An improved security standard for wireless networks that provides strong data protection and network access control.

WPA2™

Wi-Fi Protected Access 2. Is a follow on security method to WPA for wireless networks that provides even stronger data protection and network access control. It provides enterprise and consumer Wi-Fi users with a high level of assurance that only authorized users can access their wireless networks.